The El Dorado Film Festival is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return for 2025. Hosted at SAAC from February 26 to March 2, the festival will continue to shine a spotlight on exceptional independent films from around the globe, showcasing an array of cinematic talent and creativity.

Festival Director Alex Jeffery and SAAC’s Film Steering Committee Chairperson Tamra Davis invite audiences and filmmakers alike to come together in El Dorado for an engaging week of film presentations, networking opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the vibrant community that El Dorado has to offer.

In addition, the festival is excited to launch a special raffle to raise funds for this enriching cultural event. Ticket purchasers will have the unique opportunity to win an exclusive signed screenplay of the acclaimed Arkansas filmmaker Jeff Nichols’ latest film, “The Bikeriders”. The screenplay will be personally addressed to the winner by Mr. Nichols himself. Along with the signed script, the raffle winner will also receive two VIP passes to attend the El Dorado Film Festival granting them and a guest exclusive full access to an unforgettable weekend. The total value of the raffle items is $800.

Jeff Nichols is an acclaimed writer and director known for films like “Take Shelter,” “Mud,” and “Loving.” His debut, “Shotgun Stories,” earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination and various festival awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Seattle and Austin Film Festivals. His 2013 film “Mud,” starring Matthew McConaughey, premiered at Cannes and was the highest-grossing independent film of the year. “Loving,” released in 2016, received several prestigious nominations, including Academy Award and Golden Globe nods. His most recent project, “The Bikeriders,” premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and was released worldwide in June 2024. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Nichols graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and now lives in Austin, Texas.

The raffle winner will receive a signed script of Nichols’ “The Bikeriders”. The film, featuring stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy, is an evocative drama set during a transformative period in American culture. With a dynamic narrative, it follows a young man’s struggle between love and loyalty to his motorcycle club.

With the prestigious VIP Festival Passes, the raffle winner and their guest enjoy entry to all films, vibrant parties, and the luxurious VIP lounge at SAAC, where they can mingle with fellow film enthusiasts and industry insiders in a sophisticated setting. This will elevate your festival experience so that you may immerse yourself in the excitement like never before!

Raffle Tickets are priced at $5 each or $20 for five tickets, with the drawing scheduled for December 17, 2024, at 5:30 PM at the South Arkansas Arts Center. Participants do not need to be present to win, and all ticket purchases are tax-deductible. Tickets can be obtained at SAAC or from a member of the film committee.

Davis shared her excitement over the raffle initiative, stating, “I met Jeff Nichols eight years ago through the Arkansas Cinema Society, which he co-founded. His dedication to promoting film in our state inspired me to reach out for this special raffle. I’m thrilled that he is on board to support the El Dorado Film Festival and our wonderful community.”

Festival attendees have a variety of ticket options to enrich their experience: the “VIP Pass” for $150 provides complete access to all films, parties, and the VIP lounge at SAAC for the weekend; the “Weekend Pass” for $30 offers entry to all festival events throughout the weekend; and the “Day Pass” for $20 permits access to programming for just one day.

Join us for a celebration of independent film and culture in El Dorado! Raffle tickets will be on sale soon through SAAC online box office. For more information about the 2025 El Dorado Film Festival call SAAC at 870-862-5474.

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